Dana Johnson

US Patent:

7449420, Nov 11, 2008

Filed:

Mar 19, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/804459

Inventors:

Shyh-Yuan Henry Hwang - Newton MA, US
Waheed A. Mukaddam - Cambridge MA, US
Francis A. Demers - Holderness NH, US
Dana Johnson - Hopkinton MA, US

Assignee:

Stone & Webster Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

B01J 20/34

US Classification:

502 31, 502 56

Abstract:

Improved processes are provided for the production of alkyl aromatic compounds using zeolite catalyst(s) and for periodic reactivation in situ of zeolite catalyst(s) that have at least in part become deactivated. Processes according to this invention are typically carried out in a reaction section loaded with catalyst(s) wherein a desired alkyl aromatic compound is produced from feed aromatic and olefin compounds followed by a separation section in which the desired product is isolated and recovered. Alkylation, transalkylation, and/or isomerization reactions that occur in the reaction section are carried out in liquid phase or partial liquid phase over the said zeolite catalyst(s). At least a portion of the zeolite catalyst(s) employed in the reaction section is (are) reactivated in situ, periodically or when deemed necessary, by contacting the deactivated catalyst(s), at elevated temperature and in the substantial absence of olefin feedstock, with an aromatic stripping stream comprising the feed aromatic compound, the desired alkyl aromatic product, byproducts formed in the process, or mixtures thereof, to restore its (their) activity.

US Patent:

7777086, Aug 17, 2010

Filed:

Feb 27, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/505787

Inventors:

Shyh-Yuan Hwang - Newton MA, US
Maruti Bhandarkar - Joel Nagar, IN
Chung-Ming Chi - Weymouth MA, US
Waheed Mukaddam - Cambridge MA, US
Frank Demers - Holderness NH, US
Richard F. Guarino - East Freetown MA, US
Dana E Johnson - Hopkinton MA, US

Assignee:

Stone & Webster, Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

C07C 2/66
C07C 7/04

US Classification:

585448, 585809

Abstract:

Improved integrated processes for the production of alkyl aromatic compounds are disclosed wherein aromatic compounds which may be treated for removal of deleterious substances are reacted with olefin compounds, which may also be treated for contaminant removal, in the presence of acidic zeolite catalyst(s) to produce the desired alkyl aromatic compound(s). The aromatic and preferably also the olefin feeds are treated substantially to remove contaminants, particularly the nitrogen compounds contained therein, before they are brought together for reaction in the presence of the zeolite catalyst(s). In accordance with the present invention, it has been found that feed pretreatment for removal of nitrogen compounds significantly improves the run length and life of the acidic zeolite catalyst(s). The feed pretreatment of this invention may include the steps of distillation, extraction, and/or adsorption by solid adsorbent, which may be regenerated in accordance with further embodiments of this invention.

US Patent:

8445738, May 21, 2013

Filed:

Sep 23, 2009

Appl. No.:

13/119781

Inventors:

Shyh-Yuan Hwang - Needham MA, US
Dana E. Johnson - Hopkinton MA, US
Joseph C. Peters - Quincy MA, US
Chung-Ming Chi - Needham MA, US
Kevin J. Fallon - Boston MA, US
Francis A. Demers - Holderness NH, US

Assignee:

Badger Licensing LLC - Cambridge MA

International Classification:

C07C 2/86
C07C 37/08

US Classification:

585446, 585469, 568798

Abstract:

A process is described for producing cumene comprising contacting a feed stream comprising benzene and a further feed stream comprising isopropanol or a mixture of isopropanol and propylene in the presence of an alkylation catalyst comprising at least a molecular sieve of the MCM-22, family in an alkylation zone under alkylation conditions of at least partial liquid phase and with a water concentration in the liquid phase of at least 50 ppm to react at least part of said isopropanol and benzene to produce an effluent stream containing cumene.

US Patent:

20100268008, Oct 21, 2010

Filed:

Jul 6, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/830725

Inventors:

Shyh-Yuan Hwang - Newton MA, US
Maruti Bhandarkar - Joel Nagar, IN
Chung-Ming Chi - Weymouth MA, US
Waheed Mukaddam - Cambridge MA, US
Frank Demers - Holderness NH, US
Richard F. Guarino - East Freetown MA, US
Dana E. Johnson - Hopkinton MA, US

International Classification:

C07C 2/66

US Classification:

585448

Abstract:

Improved integrated processes for the production of alkyl aromatic compounds are disclosed wherein aromatic compounds which may be treated for removal of deleterious substances are reacted with olefin compounds, which may also be treated for contaminant removal, in the presence of acidic zeolite catalyst(s) to produce the desired alkyl aromatic compound(s). The aromatic and preferably also the olefin feeds are treated substantially to remove contaminants, particularly the nitrogen compounds contained therein, before they are brought together for reaction in the presence of the zeolite catalyst(s). In accordance with the present invention, it has been found that feed pretreatment for removal of nitrogen compounds significantly improves the run length and life of the acidic zeolite catalyst(s). The feed pretreatment of this invention may include the steps of distillation, extraction, and/or adsorption by solid adsorbent, which may be regenerated in accordance with further embodiments of this invention.

US Patent:

20110201858, Aug 18, 2011

Filed:

Sep 23, 2009

Appl. No.:

13/119789

Inventors:

Shyh-Yuan Henry Hwang - Needham MA, US
Dana E. Johnson - Hopkinton MA, US
Joseph C. Peters - Quincy MA, US
Chung-Ming Chi - Needham MA, US
Kevin J. Fallon - Boston MA, US
Francis A. Demers - Holderness NH, US

Assignee:

BADGER LICENSING LLC - Cambridge MA

International Classification:

C07C 2/00

US Classification:

585314, 585323

Abstract:

In a process for producing cumene from acetone and benzene, a feed stream comprising acetone is contacted with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst in a first reaction zone under hydrogenation conditions sufficient to convert at least part of the acetone to isopropanol and produce a first liquid effluent stream rich in isopropanol and a first vapor stream rich in unreacted hydrogen. Benzene is then added to at least part of the first liquid effluent stream, without intermediate purification of the first liquid effluent stream, and optionally to at least part of the first vapor stream, to form a second feed stream. The second feed stream is then contacted with an alkylation catalyst in a second reaction zone separate from the first reaction zone under alkylation conditions sufficient to maintain at least part of the second feed stream in the liquid phase and to cause at least part of the isopropanol in the second feed stream to react with the benzene to form cumene and water and produce a second effluent stream comprising at least cumene, water and unreacted benzene. Hydrogen is separated from the first vapor stream and/or the second effluent stream. At least part of the hydrogen is recycled to the first reaction zone and/or purged from the system.

US Patent:

20150183695, Jul 2, 2015

Filed:

Jun 27, 2012

Appl. No.:

14/409814

Inventors:

Shyh-Yuan H. Hwang - Needham MA, US
Dana E. Johnson - Hopkinton MA, US

Assignee:

BADGER LICENSING LLC - Boston MA

International Classification:

C07C 6/06
C07C 2/66

Abstract:

A process is described for producing cumene comprising contacting benzene and a C3 alkylating agent under alkylation conditions with an alkylation catalyst in an alkylation zone to produce an alkylation effluent comprising cumene and alkylaromatic compounds heavier than cumene. Cumene is recovered from the alkylation effluent to leave a byproduct stream containing the alkylaromatic compounds heavier than cumene, which is separated into a polyisopropylbenzene-containing stream, an aromatic overhead stream, and a bottoms product. At least part of the aromatic overhead stream is recycled to the alkylation zone to reduce raw material consumption and improve cumene yield.